The La Salle County Board Monday approved the appointment of Susan Thornton, a Republican from rural Ottawa, to serve the remainder of the term of Mike Beavers.

Beavers, a Republican from La Salle, resigned last month as the District 13 County Board member due to plans to move to Canada so his wife could be near her family.

Her appointment was recommended by Pat Wagner, chairwoman of the La Salle County Republican Central Committee, who selected Thornton from among a number of candidates.

"I have a desire to serve," Thornton told The Times.

"When I heard about the opening I thought about it and I just decided to go for it."

She also has decided to seek election to the post, and has already begun passing petitions for next year's Republican primary election.

"I was always interested in the county board. I ran once before and I was defeated. But this time everything seemed to come together at the right time for me."

She said she last ran for the County Board in the early 1990s.

But now, she said, with her four children either married or in college, she can better focus on County Board duties.

"I have the time to devote to this. I think that's important if you're going to take on the responsibility.

"The meetings are important to attend. That's been a concern of mine with other board members."

Thornton is a lifelong resident of La Salle County.

She grew up in Oglesby and went to La Salle-Peru High School.

She also lived in La Salle for a while before moving to rural Ottawa, where she lives with her husband, Edmund.

In the past she has worked for the state's Department of Veterans Affairs.

"I helped veterans and the families of veterans get benefits."

For 24 years she has served on the county's 708 mental health board. She also has been an advocate for children with special needs.

Thornton said she is starting out with no special agenda, other than to learn what the people in her district have to say.

"The district is made up with a lot of different people with a lot of different ideas, so I'll listen.

"I really want to work with everyone. I realize I have got to catch up. Coming in now at this point I'm sure I'll be bombarded with a lot of information. But I don't want to say anything for certain until I have all the facts. I'm cautious."

Still, she says she will be looking for the chance to make her contribution.

"There always room for improvement. We can always strive to do better."